theology
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The Cost of Discipleship (and the blessings)
Jesus knew the cost, and the blessings, to himself and for his disciples. Do we? Do I? “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”– The Apostle Paul, Philippians 3:7 “It is only because he became like us that we can become like him.”– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of… Continue reading
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New Video: Who is the Israel of God? A Bible study in Ephesians 2: 8-22
I made two videos, the first being on surviving depression with God. This one, the second, takes up a subject I touched on in the first: Who is the Israel of God in the New Testament and today? It’s a Bible study in Ephesians 2: 8-22, which has a very direct bearing on that question.… Continue reading
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A Movement Toward The Cross
I began to write and then begin to move… One thing I’ve learned in my studies: I’ve known more truth than I have been able to live, by quite a bit actually. Of course this raises the question that if you’re not able to live the truth do you really know it? For the kind… Continue reading
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Worship Without Blood Is Worship Without God
Worship without blood is worship without God; it is worship offered to the self. Worship without belief in and trust in the merits of Christ’s blood is why the worship of those who have not accepted him as the Messiah, as their personal Messiah, the only Anointed One of God, the only Savior of their… Continue reading
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The Centrality of Christ
The centrality of Christ–born of a woman, lived among us, crucified, and resurrected from the dead to sit at the right hand of God, coming a second time for the full redemption of humanity– is in God’s plan of salvation the most essential truth, the most essential reality, that gives meaning to all created things,… Continue reading
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“Christian” Nationalism’s Whoredom
Thoughts from my reading today… Regarding “even” Barnabas’ defection from gospel practice, along with Peter at Antioch, G. Walter Hansen says this in his commentary on Galatians 2.11-14: “We should never underestimate the emotional power of national pride and racial ties. We should not be surprised that the Jewish Christians in Antioch put their own… Continue reading
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Easter: What does it really mean?
Why is it that the Bible does not give us a day to celebrate the resurrection of Christ? There is no command to celebrate or to set aside such a day. There is no historical precedent for it in the New Testament writings after the resurrection of Christ. You have to go beyond the New… Continue reading
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Perfection: What did Jesus mean when He commanded us to be “perfect”?
We know from the context of this passage that Jesus was speaking of the perfection of love in the character, such a love that embraces even one’s enemies, just as God does with us. Such is what it means to be like our heavenly Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only… Continue reading
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The Asbury Revival: Is this how the Holy Spirit works?
For over 2 weeks, there is a “revival” at Asbury University and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Day-and-night, the chapel has been open and filled for singing, praying, and just hanging out. Continual, repetitive phrases are sung, mantra like, united with clapping, shouts of “praise,” swaying bodies, and not a little jumping up and down. Some… Continue reading
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From My Morning Reading….
A Bible text and passage on God’s purposes and presence in our sorrows, trials, and self-examination of the heart. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that… Continue reading
About Me
A Christian, thinking, vlogging, and writing online. I live elsewhere as well. I follow the theology of the cross in the faith and practice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Formerly a pastor in Europe and America, now living semi-retired in Kentucky (U.S.), driving for the Amish and in-home carer.
Crucified Hearts 